Mar. 1, 1847: Michigan becomes first state to abolish death penalty. 1875: Civil Rights Bill enacted by US Congress gives blacks the rights to equal treatment in public places and transport.

Mar. 2, 1901: The Platt Amendment is passed by Congress. The amendment informs Cuba that US troops will not be withdrawn. Cuba unofficially becomes a protectorate of the US.

Mar. 3, 1845: US Congress overrides a presidential veto for the first time. 1863: First US draft law passes. Contains a clause providing draft exemption in exchange for a $300--a sum which only the rich could afford to pay. 1991: African-American Rodney King is videotaped being beaten by Los Angeles police officers.

Mar. 4, 1968: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. announces he will lead a Poor People's March on Washington in April. 1998: Ford sued for compensation for using 10,000 slave laborers supplied by Hitler's regime.

Mar. 5, 1886: In Paris, the anarchist Charles Gallo throws a bottle of hydrocyanic acid into the Stock Exchange. The bottle does not explode, but spreads a bad smell which set off a panic. 1917: Wobblies (Industrial Workers of the World, aka IWW) go on trial, Everett, Washington.

Mar. 6, 1836: Mexican troops defend their country's abolitionist constitution, defeat foreign slaveholders. San Antonio, Texas. Remember the Alamo. 1857: Dred Scott decision by US Supreme Court opens federal territory to slavery and denies citizenship to blacks, ruling that blacks are not entitled to protection under the law. 1965: First American soldier "officially" sets foot on battlefield in Vietnam.

Mar. 7, 1995: After decades of opposition, state of New York instates the death penalty.

Mar. 8, 1964: Malcolm X announces split with Nation of Islam. 1982: Two US high school boys with ambition to be mercenaries arm themselves and attempt a military "coup d'etat" at their high school.

Mar. 9, 1969: "The Smothers Brothers' Comedy Hour," which featured edgy political satire and such rock bands as the Beatles, the Who, Jefferson Airplane, and the Doors, is canceled by CBS-TV. This is in the wake of controversy over the on-air censorship of guest star Joan Baez. 1979: US Supreme Court issues temporary restraining order prohibiting publication by "The Progressive" of an article on H-bomb secrecy.

Mar. 10, 1951: Pres. Eisenhower states willingness to launch a first-strike nuclear attack. 1987: United Nations Human Rights Commission recognizes conscientious objection to military service as a human right.

Mar. 11, 1811: England: Luddites attack machines designed to replace them in the weaving of wool. 1833: US troops intervene in Nicaragua.

Mar. 12, 1956: Nearly a hundred Congressional Representatives and Senators sign the "Southern Manifesto," vowing to fight the Supreme Court school desegregation decision. 2003: International war crimes court convenes for the first time, without the participation of the United States.

Mar. 13, 1925: Tennessee legislature bans teaching of evolution. 1989: Tibet demonstrations against Chinese rule.

Mar. 14, 1949: To protest military build-up, 41 people publicly refuse to pay income tax. 1970: First US postal strike.